Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Y is for Yule

The Yuletide season is filled with magic and mystery until well after midnight on December 24th. This night is called Matrum Noctem, which translates as the Night of the Great Mother. This spirit of Yule, the presence of mystery, inspires visions of a better world in the hearts and minds of all.

The Druids

The custom of lighting the Yule log represents the birth of a god from the fire of the Mother. The Druids would say a prayer of thanks to the spirit of the tree before they would cut it down.

The tradition of burning a Yule log was to honor the Great Mother Goddess.  They would light the log on the eve of the solstice, using the remains of the log from the previous year.  For good luck, they would burn it for twelve hours. 

Decorating the Tree

The Yule tree could be a Fir or Evergreen, but the Pine was the most popular since it represented Odin. They would not chop down the tree, but use a live tree outdoors. This tradition symbolized Yggdrasil (The Tree of Life). Decorating it with brightly colored ornaments symbolized the sun, moon and stars, while other ornaments would represent the souls of the departed from the previous years. 

They would also hang gifts on the Yule tree for the many different Pagan Gods and Goddesses. The Druids would decorate the trees with images that represented their wants and desires for the upcoming year. 

Wreaths were made from holly, ivy and evergreens as a reminder that life still prospered despite the harsh winters they endured.

As you can see, yuletide shadows closely with the Christian celebration of Christmas: decorating a tree, hanging wreaths, and celebrating with family and friends.

Fun Facts

Yule logs were once large enough to last all twelve days of Christmas.

In both ancient and modern celebrations, candles are a big part of the Yule time celebration. The candle flame represents the sun, which has faded in the winter.

In Old Nordic stories, Yule was the main feast of the year and lasted for three nights.

My Holiday Short Stories

In my story, Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer, my hero celebrates Yule, and my heroine celebrates Christmas, but that is the least of their problems.

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Dec. 22nd At KMN Books: I'm thrilled to have fantasy author, Gerald Costlow here today to share his sweet and amusing story of his Christmas in Korea. You're sure to have a chuckle. He also has a sneak peek at his new release: Crazy Jack. I had a chance to review this story and I just loved it and I'm sure you will, too.

***CONTEST: Gerald is giving away an ebook copy of Crazy Jack to one lucky winner! Come by KMN Books for all the details. You don't want to miss adding this tale to your Christmas stocking!

http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/gerald-costlow-shares-is-his-christmas.html

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At KMN Books: Dawn Luedecke is an author of western and paranormal tales. She breathes life into her characters and you'll remember them long after you've closed the book. Dawn is here today to share her Favorite Kind of Christmas Magic and give us a sneak peek at two of her books from The Wild Rose Press. Let's give her a warm welcome!

Please leave all comments and questions at KMN Books:
http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/dawn-luedecke-and-christmas-magic.html

See you there!!

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Dec. 17th At KMN Books: We have Celia Yeary today. She is a seventh-generation Texan. It is no wonder her romances with a little bit of Texas ring true to life. Let's give her a warm welcome.

***CONTEST: Celia will be choosing one lucky winner. In the spirit of giving, she will"Gift" a copy of A Christmas Wedding to your Kindle or your Nook--whichever you have. If neither--she will send a PDF. For everyone: she's posted a recipe of a yummy Chocolate Christmas Treat!  http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/celia-yeary-asks-what-would-you-do.html

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Meet the Authors of the 2012 Christmas Collection and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an Ebook copy of the 2012 Christmas Collection. Two Lucky Winners will be chosen!!
http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/2012/11/meet-authors-of-2012-christmas.html

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My short story, Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer is featured in the 2012 Christmas Collection.

Blurb:

What’s a hunter to do when she’s fallen for the vampire she’s been sent to stake?

Cassandra Hayes has been dating Tremayne Graystone, the vampire she’s been sent to eliminate. To stake or not to stake is the least of their problems when masked men kidnap them and hold them hostage. They realize all they want for Christmas is a chance to make their relationship work. Kisses under the mistletoe may not make this holiday merry, but they’re willing to give it a shot.

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In this Scene: Cassandra (hunter) is questioning her time with Tremayne (vampire). He's a killer or so she believes. She's perched in a tree ready to take another shot at Tremayne with her bow and arrow. She will not allow him to sink his teeth into her.  Then it dawns on her that Tremayne has never attempted to bite her.

Now for the Six:

They'd been dating for five months. Five wonderful months, she cursed under her breath. He charmed her with his wit and brilliant conversations. He enchanted her with strolls on the moonlit beach and tantalized her with his drugging kisses. And damn him, his plan of seduction worked.

She'd fallen for him, given her heart as surely as if she'd gift-wrapped it with a bow.

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I'd love to know what you think.

If you want to play with us. See the site for information on how to do just that:http://sixsunday.com

If you have a Twitter account, you can add the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets when you tweet a link to your Six Sentence Sunday post. If you’re a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us!

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Vampires legends come alive in these tales of fangs, romance and chance for eternal happiness...

Goodreads giveaway: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16000260-twilight-s-eternal-embraceE-book: Kindle  Print: Amazon
Barnes and Noble
If Bram cannot find a way for Adryanna to survive the blooding ritual the romance is doomed. They seek help from Sheerin, Bram’s cousin, who believes he’s found a way for the Lathe Sith to survive, but others in the Oiche Sith clan do not wish for them to succeed.

99 cents: Love's Eternal Embrace (Vampire Tale of Ireland's legendary Dearg-du.)
E-book available at:
Kindle
Nook

A knight...
A lady...
And a deadly dark secret...
A fiend dwells in the forest and Sir Liam Cantwell sets out to slay it. Only the fiend is a fair maiden named Glamis Drui. Will Liam fall prey to her deadly embrace or will his knightly charms be her undoing?

(*Previously published with Tease Publishing LLC 2008)

Kindle   Print: Amazon Print

Jairec’s holiday in San Francisco turned into a living nightmare when he’s attacked by a chiang-shih, a Chinese vampire. He has until the end of the Moon Festival to convince Autumn, an herbalist, to hand over the elixir of life. Without it he will become the white-haired demon for all eternity. Only Autumn believes he’s delusional. The elixir of life is a legend.

When a mysterious attack leaves the victim drained of blood, Autumn is forced to believe monsters really do exist. The master chiang-shih is raising an army with the intent of taking over Chinatown and he is determined to have Jairec and Autumn at his side.

A Victory Tale's 2012 CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
MY STORY IS: MISTLETOE, STAKES AND YULETIDE CHEER

Kindle

BLURB FOR Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer

What’s a hunter to do when she’s fallen for the vampire she’s been sent to stake?

Cassandra Hayes has been dating Tremayne Graystone, the vampire she’s been sent to eliminate. To stake or not to stake is the least of their problems when masked men kidnap them and hold them hostage. They realize all they want for Christmas is a chance to make their relationship work. Kisses under the mistletoe may not make this holiday merry, but they’re willing to give it a shot.

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At KMN Books Blogspot:

The very talented Markee Anderson is here today with holiday gifts for everyone. Read on and find out about her virtual Christmas bookshelf. What's your reading pleasure?

Let's give her a warm welcome. 

Ask her questions or leave her a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, too.
http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com

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Our Freedom to Read Sale begins July 1 and ends July 31.

Here are the links for the Freedom to Read Sale pages where the sale titles, discounts, and coupons for free reads can be found:

http://westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/freedom-to-read-sale.php

http://www.rebeccajvickery.com/freedom-to-read-sale.php
http://victorytalespress.yolasite.com/freedom-to-read-sale.php

Also visit http://rebeccajvickery.blogspot.com and leave a comment and contact info. Random drawings will be held throughout the month for free reads and prizes.

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